SALISBURY — Ruben Ramirez Farias of Concord was convicted this week in Rowan County Criminal Superior Court of felony statutory rape/sex offense and felony indecent liberties with a child.

Judge Anna Mills Wagoner sentenced Farias to a minimum of 144 months (12 years) and a maximum of 233 months (about 19 years) in prison. He was ordered to register as a sex offender and submit to satellite-based monitoring for the rest of his life.

The victim, who was 13 years old at the time, reported to her family that she had attended vacation Bible school at a church in the summer of 2015. The victim said she met Farias, who was a volunteer at the church. Farias began communicating with the child, which led to him telling her that he loved her. Farias told the victim that he would leave his wife for her, investigators said.

During the summer of 2015, Farias and the victim had sexual intercourse. Afterward, Farias told the girl he wanted to have a baby with her when she turned 16.

The girl’s family contacted law enforcement, and the victim disclosed what had happened to her.

The information she told investigators was consistent with what she initially reported. Law enforcement also collected text messages between Farias and the victim that corroborated the child’s statements.

Farias told law enforcement that he knew the child, but they were only friends.

District Attorney Brandy Cook said she appreciated the dedication of Assistant District Attorney Paxton Butler and the investigation conducted by the Kannapolis Police Department. Cook said her office continues to be committed to prosecuting offenders who take advantage of children.